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I told you so -- Mining land fills for energy starts to look smart

Oct. 1, 2009

I took a lot of heat a few years ago when I said it probably made more sense to pitch many recyclable materials in land fills rather than consume energy in recycling them: http://community.machinedesign.com/forums/thread/1458.aspx Now there's ...

Lee Teschler

I took a lot of heat a few years ago when I said it probably made more sense to pitch many recyclable materials in land fills rather than consume energy in recycling them:

http://community.machinedesign.com/forums/thread/1458.aspx

Now there's validation of this viewpoint from researchers in Singapore and Switzerland. They say biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol derived from processed urban waste, may offer dramatic emissions savings without the environmental catch.

"Our results suggest that fuel from processed waste biomass, such as paper and cardboard, is a promising clean energy solution," said study author Associate Professor Hugh Tan of the National University of Singapore.

You can read more about it in an item posted on Pysorg.com:

http://www.physorg.com/news173440496.html

The journal article itself is available online, but unfortunately you'll have to pay to view it if you don't subscribe:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122199998/issue

About the Author

Lee Teschler | Editor

Leland was Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design. He has 34 years of Service and holds a B.S. Engineering from the University of Michigan, a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan;, and a MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, Lee worked as a Communications design engineer for the U.S. Government.